Chargers welcome 24 football recruits

Thursday

Feb 7, 2013 at 9:30 AM

By Ed Patinoed.patino@hillsdale.netHILLSDALE — Looking to keep itself among the elite programs in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Hillsdale College football team has reloaded.The newest class of Chargers were announced during Wednesday's college football National Signing Day. Hillsdale landed 24 new players from six different states.The new group joins a Hillsdale College team coming off a 7-4 season. In the past four seasons, the Chargers have either made the NCAA Division II playoffs or won a GLIAC North Division championship."We look to get the best we can get, and we feel this is a good group," Hillsdale coach Keith Otterbein said. "We had a smaller number of seniors graduate last year, so we had limited money to give out. But we got a lot out of it, and we're pleased with the quality of the guys we got."The Chargers landed a one county player in Hillsdale High School senior Zach VanOrman, who was recruited to boost the offensive line. Last fall, VanOrman helped the Hornets to an 11-1 season, a Lenawee County Athletic Association title and a district championship. Hillsdale's offense averaged 30 points and 322.6 yards per game, including 216.2 rushing yards per game.VanOrman was a First-Team All-State selection by the Detroit Free Press and will play in the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association All-Star Game this June."Zach could possibly be phenomenal because of his frame and athleticism," Otterbein said. "His upside is really good. We've had a good run of success with Hillsdale High kids and they've been good contributors."Among those joining VanOrman on the offensive line are Nick Chappell (Fenton), Daniel Drummond (Pittsford, N.Y.) and Kyle Marsh (Birmingham Brother Rice)."All of the kids seem like good fits, and we were direct in our communication them as to what we expect here," Otterbein said. "We're proud of the kids we already have and we're proud to add this group to that. Our coaches do a good job in the recruiting aspect."Two quarterbacks are part of the class in Joe Kutil (Waterford Notre Dame Prep) and David Ritchie (Riverview Gabriel Richard). Spencer Nehls (Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central) and Christian VanDeBurg (Grand Rapids Christian) will add depth at tailback, while Matthew Hazelton (Lakeland, Fla.) was recruited as a H-back.Timmy Mills (Lafayette, Ind./Central Catholic) is a wide receiver and Austin Adams (Medina, Ohio/Highland) and Jake Bull (Hudsonville) are incoming tight ends."We have a good blend of size and speed at all positions," Otterbein said. "These are good football players who have natural instincts on the field."The defensive line welcomes Jordan Harlamert (Coldwater, Ohio) and Casey Schukow (Saline). Add deep class of linebackers include Chuck Ahee (Macomb Chippewa Valley), Matt Hall (Grand Rapids Christian), Chris Koenigsknecht (Flint Powers) and Scott Penola (Zionsville, Ind.).The secondary unit will add Ron Branch (Stevensville Lakeshore), Nathan Hollern (Grand Rapids Catholic Central), Will Jones (Lafayette, Ind./Central Catholic), Tim Pearce (Tatum, N.M.), Doug Phillips III (Armada) and John Terry (Tecumseh).The class will also boost Hillsdale's academic reputation. They enter with an average overall high school grade point average of 3.74 and an average ACT score of 27."The academics have become harder since I got here, and the kids find out the value of a degree from here," Otterbein said. "The kids have already developed discipline both academically and athletically, and they're leaders at their schools."Over the past two seasons, eight Hillsdale College players have participated in National Football League camps.The Chargers are scheduled to open the 2013 season Sept. 7.